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Accession number MMM.1991.474.1.d
Cyril William Wood Hill of Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) in Crosby, Liverpool, won this medallion at the age of ten for coming first in a half mile race.
The inscription on the front of the medal reads:
'M.T.S. CROSBY SPORTS 1915.'
On the reverse is the poignant inscription:
'HALF MILE 1ST. THE YEAR OF THE WAR. C.W. WOODS HILL'.
Clearly the race organisers had not anticipated that the war would continue for another 3 years until 1918.
Cyril William Wood Hill. Archive reference number of photo DX/2265
The photo shows Mr Hill at the age of 23 in 1928, wearing a dress uniform. After leaving school he trained on the HMS Conway. The training ship HMS Conway, founded in 1859, became a national institution for the training of future officers of the Merchant Navy. Further information about training ships is available in the Maritime Archive and Library information sheet 9, which can be downloaded from this website.
From the Merseyside Maritime Museum's collections.
Not a great deal is known about this medal or the photo of Mr Hill. The design on the cuff of his coat is unusual and it is unclear what rank he holds. If you can help identify the uniform or have any further information regarding the medallion please let the assistant curator of maritime history know, using this contact form.